WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. government should
allow companies to export surplus natural gas, the top
Republican on the Senate energy committee said on Wednesday in a
high-profile endorsement of the controversial issue.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said LNG exports would
allow U.S. producers to take advantage of higher prices for gas
in places like Japan while spurring more domestic production.

"I just don't think blocking our exports of LNG makes any
sense given out country's economic situation," Murkowski said at
a policy briefing on natural gas hosted by The Hill, a newspaper
that covers Congress.

With its gas unable to easily reach the rest of the country,
Alaska is home to the nation's only operating LNG plant, which
was first authorized to send LNG to Japan in 1967 but may close
down. Future plants will require new export authorization.

"Energy exports offer an opportunity to really help tip the
balance of trade in our favor for the first time in decades,"
Murkowski said.

Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat from energy-rich
Louisiana, also expressed support for exports.

The comments are in stark contrast to the views of incoming
energy committee chairman Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, who has
raised concerns that the United States may trade away a
competitive advantage and harm manufacturers if it allows more
gas exports.

Supporters say that new technology that has allowed
producers to unlock decades' worth of natural gas from shale
reserves offers a chance to export gas abroad, boosting the
economy through more drilling. Opponents worry that allowing
more gas exports will raise domestic prices.

Until now, many lawmakers in Washington have avoided taking
a vocal stand on the complex issue, which tends to pit
manufacturers against energy producers.

But the issue may come to a head next year, when the Obama
administration is expected to begin making decisions on whether
to allow additional exports after approving one LNG export
terminal, Cheniere's Sabine Pass in Louisiana.

Natural gas exports to all but a handful of countries with
free trade agreements require approval from the Energy
Department.

The department has said it will not decide on other pending
export applications until the release of a
government-commissioned report on the economic effects of gas
exports due out by the end of the year.

When asked whether she would support a policy that allows
gas exports from Alaska, but not from the rest of the country,
Murkowski said she had not discussed this with Wyden.

Murkowski said she wants to make sure Alaskan gas can be
exported but that "the better policy" would be to allow exports
throughout the United States.

Louisiana's Landrieu said it may be necessary for Congress
to make a statement that LNG shipments are in the "best
long-term interest of our country." Congress could then direct
the Energy Department to determine how much gas should be
allowed to be exported and under what circumstances.